Saturday, June 28, 2014

Disclosure: In exchange for my post and to facilitate my honest review of this experience, my family received tickets for this attraction as part of a promotional blogger tour of Branson, MO through US Family Guide. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

I've been fascinated with the history of the tragedy of Titanic since I was a geeky homeschooling sixth grader who found a video game that enabled me to walk the halls of the ship (in super-up-to-date graphics, of course). I checked out dozens of library books and went to see a touring production of the Broadway musical about the ship's fate. I've actually even visited the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson before - several years ago, when it had just recently opened.

I wasn't sure about taking my very young kids to a museum that would hold stories and significance far above their comprehension, but we gave it a shot anyway. At the end of this post, I'll be sharing 6 Tips for Taking Toddlers to Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, so stay tuned for that!

The museum is a permanent addition to the Branson strip and cannot be missed - its impressive design jumps out at you when you drive past! Built at just 50% scale of the original Titanic luxury liner, the building in Branson that partially represents Titanic is still enormous and impressive!

Photo Courtesy of Titanic Branson.

Photos are not allowed inside the museum, a policy which I think is excellent. This museum tells the harrowing story of 2,208 passengers and crew members - it is not a celebration of the Titanic so much as a remembrance of the lives forever changed, as well as those lost.

Photo Courtesy of Titanic Branson.

The museum is expertly designed, and features several chances to experience just how the interior of Titanic appeared before she met her untimely fate. The replica of a 3rd-class stateroom (above) was especially fascinating to see!

Photo Courtesy of Titanic Branson.

When we entered the museum, each member of our family was given a boarding pass featuring the name (and story) of an actual Titanic passenger. We carried our passes with us as we traveled through the museum (Lincoln called it his "ticket") and when we reached the end, we were able to find out the fate of our characters. Addie's boarding pass featured the little baby girl in the photo above (near the bottom, left side) - this child was the same age as Addie is now when Titanic sailed.

Photo Courtesy of Titanic Branson.

The special exhibit for 2014 features the 8 heroic
musicians whose comforting strains helped drown-out the sadness and
sorrow of the dark night when Titanic struck the iceburg. Their names and stories are listed beneath their photos. As a musician, I found it fascinating to read tidbits about each of their lives. This exhibit is truly special.

Photo Courtesy of Titanic Branson.

There were, thankfully, lots of opportunities for Lincoln to explore and interact with the museum as we made our way from room to room. He was fascinated with the display of a coal furnace, but definitely still needed help to lift the shovel!

Photo Courtesy of Titanic Branson.

Photo Courtesy of Titanic Branson.

If I had been without my kids, I could easily have spent 4-5 hours in the museum, reading about each artifact, letter, or fact about the crew, passengers, and plight of the Titanic. One of my favorite sections features a half-size lifeboat with benches. You can sit on each bench and hear a different story from a Titanic passenger's point of view. It's fascinating to be immersed in so much history!

There are lots of interactive ways to keep kids involved, as well. The sloping decks of the Titanic - at varying angles to show the changes as she raised up into the water - were particularly fascinating for Lincoln, although he was more interested in trying to climb them than anything.

Photo Courtesy of Titanic Branson.

There's a hush over the museum as you enter the Memorial Room and see the names of each and every passenger and crew member etched on the glass wall. There really aren't words to describe this experience, but it is beautiful to see these souls represented here. I can't wait to bring my children when they are old enough to grasp the significance of Titanic's tragedy, and have the museum open up a world of discussion for us.

Another amazing sight (and what I most wish I could have photographed) was the $1 Million replica of the Titanic's Grand Staircase. Museum guests are able to travel the stairs to ascend to the second level of the museum. It is truly a sight to behold!

Photo Courtesy of Titanic Branson.

Top 6 Tips for Taking Toddlers to Titanic Museum Attraction Branson.

1. Plan to Move Fast. If you're touring the museum with toddlers, you probably won't be able to listen to every audio clip or read every story. And that's okay! You can still have a thoroughly well-rounded experience, even at a faster pace than those with older kids might be able to take.

2. Photos Are Not Allowed. If you want a photo of your family at this attraction, watch for the photo spot near the lifeboats on the upper level.

3. Kids 4 and Under Don't Need a Ticket. This makes this attraction a whole lot more family-friendly in my book! Since kids under age 5 are not likely to understand or appreciate the museum, I would be hesitant to take my family if I were buying tickets for the youngest members.

4. If You're Taking Two Adults and Two Kids Over 4, the Family Pass Will Save You Money! Find more info here.

5. Keep an Eye Out for the Interactive Sections! Kids can spin wheels to learn Titanic facts (or, as in Lincoln's case, just for the sake of spinning), touch the ship's wheel, feel water that is the same temperature as the Atlantic the night of the Titanic tragedy, and more. There are lots of toddler-friendly things throughout the museum - just keep an eye out for them!

6. You Can't Take a Stroller Up the Grand Staircase. But, conveniently, an elevator is nearby.

You can find out more and purchase tickets to visit Titanic Branson here - plus make sure you are following on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates!

Disclosure: In exchange for my post and to facilitate my honest review of this experience, my family received tickets for this attraction as part of a promotional blogger tour of Branson, MO through US Family Guide. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own. For more info, you can view my Disclosure Policy.